“Lola?" Cricket is on his knees at the side of my bed. I feel it. "I'm here," he whispers. "You can talk to me or not talk to me, but I'm here.”

“Talk into here. Talk into my bullet hole. Tell me I'm fine.”

“I get out of the car, and I'm blasted by the stench of body odor. Cricket is beside me, and he's talking, but his words don't reach my ears.Because it's my mother.Smelling.On my porch.”

“Don't mind me. I'm as happy as a cricket here.”

“Then he was on his knees in front of me. "Come here Princess," he cooed.My pulse spiked. I wondered if I should slap him or "come here." Then I realized he was talking to the cat.”

“Come here. Then we'll talk."That sounds like a bad idea to her. "I can hear you fine right here.""Is it the arrows?" He kicks bow and quiver into the stream and grins a grin that puts the devil to shame. "There. Now I'm harmless.""No?" He tilts his head, shifting to his side so he can lean his stubbled chin on his hand. "Well, harmless enough. Don't you think?""No.”